Elena was only 25 years old. Since becoming a daughter-in-law, she had always respected her elders and taken care of her parents-in-law like her own. Mrs. Helen \u2013 Elena\u2019s mother-in-law \u2013 was still proud: \u201cAny family with a daughter-in-law like Lan is a great blessing.\u201d But after a little over a year, disaster struck.<\/p>\n
That night, Elena had severe stomach pain, clutching her stomach and sobbing. By the time she was taken to the hospital, she was exhausted. Before the baby could cry out at birth, Elena passed out, never to wake up again.<\/p>\n
The whole family was devastated. Mrs. Helen cried and fainted.<\/p>\n
Mr. Louis \u2013 her husband \u2013 sat silently, his eyes lifeless as he looked at his daughter-in-law\u2019s portrait placed on the coffin lid. In the photo, Elena smiled brightly, her eyes sparkling with happiness.<\/p>\n
When it was time to move the coffin, eight young men stepped forward, put their hands on both sides of the coffin, and prepared to carry it to the hearse. But strangely, no matter how hard they tried to lift it, the coffin would not budge. Everyone\u2019s face was red, the veins on their hands stood out, but the coffin seemed stuck to the ground. An old man in the neighborhood sighed: \u201cShe must still be upset and can\u2019t leave yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
The shaman standing nearby said softly:<\/p>\n
\u201cOpen the coffin, she still has something to say.\u201d<\/p>\n
The latch was removed. When the coffin lid was lifted, everyone was stunned. On Elena\u2019s face, two lines of tears still lingered. Her eyes were half-closed, the corners of her eyelashes were wet as if she had cried. Mrs. Helen burst into tears, knelt beside the coffin, grabbed her daughter-in-law\u2019s hand, her voice trembling:<\/p>\n
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\u201cElena\u2026 don\u2019t cry anymore\u2026 If there\u2019s anything you haven\u2019t said, please tell me\u2026 I beg you, my child\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
The funeral atmosphere was dead silent. \nSuddenly, a sob rang out. Everyone looked towards Louis \u2013 Elena\u2019s husband. He fell to his knees, covering his face with his hands, sobbing. Everyone was surprised. Mrs. Helen turned around, her voice broken:<\/p>\n
\u201cLouis\u2026 what are you doing\u2026 Did you hear what Elena said?\u201d \nLouis raised his head, his face covered in tears, his eyes red, his voice broken, choked:<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was my fault\u2026 I made her leave in pain\u2026\u201d \nThe whole yard was silent, only the sound of heavy rain could be heard. Louis sobbed, looking at his wife\u2019s tear-stained face:<\/p>\n
\u201cThat day\u2026 she found out I had someone else\u2026 She didn\u2019t say anything, only held her stomach and cried all night. I promised to break up, but\u2026 but she was so shocked\u2026 That night, she had a terrible stomachache\u2026 I took her to the hospital but it was too late\u2026 I\u2019m sorry\u2026 I was wrong\u2026 Elena\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
The sound of crying echoed throughout the yard. Mrs. Helen trembled, her voice breaking in the rain:<\/p>\n
\u201cOh my god\u2026 my child\u2026 Why are you suffering like this\u2026 My daughter-in-law\u2026 I\u2019m sorry for not being able to protect you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Louis leaned his head on his wife\u2019s coffin, his hands gripping the wooden edge tightly. He choked, his voice faltering:<\/p>\n
\u201cLouis\u2026 I\u2019m sorry\u2026 I know I was wrong\u2026 You can be angry with me, you can hate me\u2026 But please\u2026 forgive me\u2026 Let me take you to your final resting place\u2026\u201d \nSuddenly, the coffin shook slightly. The shaman nodded: \u201cShe has let go.\u201d<\/p>\n
The eight young men put their hands down again. This time, they lifted it gently, and the coffin was lifted easily. The mournful sound of the trumpet sounded, sending off a woman with an unfortunate fate. Everyone bowed their heads silently to make way.<\/p>\n
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Louis knelt on the cold ground, tears mixed with the rain. In his heart, each apology echoed painfully. He knew that for the rest of his life, no matter how much he cried, how much he apologized\u2026 he could not correct his mistakes.<\/p>\n
And for the rest of his life, in his restless dreams, the image of Elena shedding tears would haunt him, as if reminding him: there are wounds that, no matter how much he apologized\u2026 could not heal.<\/p>\n